Why Cell C dumped Vodacom for MTN

[Newsfeed]

Why Cell C dumped Vodacom for MTN

Cell C has signed a new roaming agreement with MTN, which will allow its subscribers to roam on MTN’s network in smaller cities and rural areas.

The agreement excludes the major cities – Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban – where Cell C and MTN will maintain their own networks.

 

[Budza]

So, if CellC can get LTE Roaming, why can't Telkom?

I'm limited to 3G when roaming on MTN.

 

[rpm]

So, if CellC can get LTE Roaming, why can't Telkom? I'm limited to 3G when roaming on MTN.

I think it has to do with price. I am sure Telkom and MTN are negotiating, but Telkom's data prices are low, which means the cannot pay too much for roaming data.

 

[supersunbird]

So, if CellC can get LTE Roaming, why can't Telkom?

I'm limited to 3G when roaming on MTN.

Cause they are not willing to pay for that, is my guess.

 

[koeks525]

This sounds exciting... as someone who stays between small towns (PE and EL) this is exciting.

 

[flamevector]

This sounds exciting... as someone who stays between small towns (PE and EL) this is exciting.

I go on holiday to Fishriver in December Vodacom and MTN no signal i only find that CellC gets Signal. not the greatest but hey I can communicate.

 

[SlinkyMike]

I think it has to do with price. I am sure Telkom and MTN are negotiating, but Telkom's data prices are low, which means the cannot pay too much for roaming data.

Makes sense -their deals are so great though, it's a small price to pay as I personally very seldom find I'm on roaming.

 

[TedLasso]

So does that mean FNB connect will also be using MTN. If I can hardcode my phone to use MTN, it would be brilliant

 

[Budza]

I think it has to do with price. I am sure Telkom and MTN are negotiating, but Telkom's data prices are low, which means the cannot pay too much for roaming data.

Cause they are not willing to pay for that, is my guess.

Makes sense -their deals are so great though, it's a small price to pay as I personally very seldom find I'm on roaming.

I thought LTE was more efficient - I'd think that'd make it cheaper??

MTN 3G works for me most of the time. Places I don't get it I don't think would have LTE either.

 

[ThinkCentre]

It seems that there are no 4G or LTE for Cell-C while roaming! How sad!

 

[Hoffie Hoffmann]

When will this agreement take effect?

 

[supersunbird]

It seems that there are no 4G or LTE for Cell-C while roaming! How sad!

One of the deciding factors may have been MTN’s willingness to offer Cell C 4G roaming.

 

[rpm]

I thought LTE was more efficient - I'd think that'd make it cheaper?

The cost per byte for LTE is indeed cheaper. However, by allowing a competitor to roam on their LTE network removes some of MTN's competitive advantage by investing R30 billion into its network over 3 years. The financial benefit must therefore outweigh the negatives.

 

[rodmur]

Pity the excluded Joburg as C is fairly garbage here and they ignore complaints